2. • "There are no
rules for good
photographs,
there are only
good
photographs."
- Ansel Adams
3. • Good composition is
essential in
photography. It allows
you to convey
messages and
emotions
• Instead of looking at
composition as a set of
‘rules’ to follow – view it
as a set of ingredients
that can be taken out of
the pantry at any point
and used to make a
great ‘meal’
(photograph).
4. • Careful framing of your
subject can make a
dramatic difference in
your photos.
• Remember — every
photo has a foreground
and background, so
use them together to
add an interesting
element to the shot.
• Use foreground
elements to frame your
photo's subject
Framing
5. • Some of the most
interesting photographs
are those taken from a
unique angle.
• Get down to the level of
the flowers before taking
the picture. Climb a tree
to take a picture of a
meadow.
• Ask yourself if the photo
would look better taken
as a landscape or portrait
• Experiment and try
different perspectives.
• Look for angles that are
interesting and
demonstrate the mood
and inspiration you're
trying to capture
Angle
6. • To capture the
essence of what you
experience when
viewing a scene, it
helps to add an
element to your
photo to convey this
perspective. In the
following picture, the
bow of the boat helps
to add an interesting
perspective to the
vastness of the
scene
Perspective
7. • Depending upon the
scene – symmetry can
be something to go for –
or to avoid completely.
• A symmetrical shot with
strong composition and
a good point of interest
can lead to a striking
image – but without the
strong point of interest it
can be a little predictable.
• Experiment with both in
the one shoot to see
which works best.
Symmetry
8. • The positioning with
elements in a frame
can leave an image
feeling balanced or
unbalanced.
• Too many points of
interest in one
section of your
image can leave it
feeling too ‘heavy’
or complicated in
that section of the
shot and other parts
feeling ‘empty’.
Balance
9. • There can be a fine
line between filling
your frame with your
subject (and creating
a nice sense of
intimacy and
connection) and also
giving your subject
space to breath.
• Either technique can
be effective – so
experiment with
moving in close and
personal and moving
out to capture a
subject in its context.
• Sometimes it is what
you leave out of an
image that makes it
special
Space
10. • The colours in an
image and how they
are arranged can
make or break a shot.
• Bright colours can
add vibrancy, energy
and interest –
however in the wrong
position they can also
distract viewers of an
image away from
focal points.
• Colours also greatly
impact ‘mood’. Blues
and Greens can have
a calming soothing
impact, Reds and
Yellows can convey
vibrancy ad energy
Colour
